Swab tool for test tubes

ABSTRACT

A semi-rigid, moisture-absorbent swab tool is provided for drying a test tube. The swab has a diameter slightly larger than that of the test tube. When forced into the tube it wipes it dry using a single push-pull operation.

United States Patent Smedstad 1451 June 27,1972

[54] SWAB TOOL FOR TEST TUBES [72] Inventor: Seth Morris Smedstad,4612-102 Avenue,

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada [22] Filed: Jan. 15, 1971 21 Appl. 190.:106,790

[52 u.s.c1. ..1s/211,34/9s.1 [51] 1m.c1. ..A47l 13/16 58 FieldoiSearch..1s/211,21o,2o9,20s;34/9s,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 673,621 5/1901 Moody et a1.15/244 R 3,542,025 11/1970 Gustafson 128/269 2,642,602 6/1953 Kelly.15/104. 1 6 878,768 2/1908 Callahan ..15/21l Primary Examiner-Leon G.Machlin Attorney-Emest Peter Johnson 57 ABSTRACT A semi-rigid,moisture-absorbent swab tool is provided for drying a test tube. Theswab has a diameter slightly larger than that of the test tube. Whenforced into the tube it wipes it dry using a single push-pull operation.

2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 'swAB TOOL FOR ras'r runes BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to a swab tool for drying the innersurface of a test tube.

Heretofore, swab tools have usually consisted of a swab of moistureabsorbent material mounted on one end of a handle or shank. To use sucha tool, theswab is pressed against the surface to be dried and movedabout until the entire surface SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an objectof this invention to provide a simple, inexpensive and disposable swabtool which can be rapidly inserted andremoved from the tube to dry it. I

It is another object to provide a flexible swab tool which does notbreak the test tube during the drying operation.

It is another object to provide a swab tool having a swab whichcannotbe; left behind in the test tube when the core is withdrawn. v v

It is another object to provide a swab toolhaving swabs at .eachend. 1

It is another object to provide a relatively stifi" swab having anunreinforced tip for dryingthe concave end surface of a test tube.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as thedescription proceeds, this invention resides in the novel construction,combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafterdescribed and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it beingunderstood that such changes in the precise embodiment of thehereindisclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of theclaims.

In the present case, the swab tool has at its center along tinsemi-rigid core, such as a common plastic drinking straw. A body or rollof soft moisture absorbing material is disposed around the core. Theends of the roll extend a short distance beyond the ends of the core. Asubstantially rigid holder, such as a plastic tube, tightly encirclesthe roll intermediate its ends. String-like enwrapments encircle theroll adjacent each end of the core.

The semi-rigid core is selected to provide the tool with sufiicientrigidity so that it can be forced into the test tube. However, the toolis flexible so that it cannot break the test tube. The rigid holderfunctions to prevent the wrapping bunching toward the center of thetool. In addition, the holder provides reinforcement to the roll whichis helpful in preventing buckling when the tool is being forced into atest tube. The diameter of the soft roll is constant and slightly largerthan the inside diameter of the tube to be dried. Thus, when the tool isinserted in the test tube, absorbent material presses tightly againstthe entire interior surface. The compressible, flexible tips of the rollare adapted to conform to the tubes concave end surface.

By virtue of its structure, the swab tool has the following advantages:It is adapted to dry the tube in one swift penetration and withdrawal.The test tube'cannot be broken by flexing the inserted shank. Theflexible tip of the roll is adapted to swab the concave end surface ofthe tube. And, finally, the inexpensive tool can be thrown away in itsentirety when worn out; there is no need to keep the shank forre-assembling with a new swab.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention; FIG. 2 is a side view insection of the tool;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the tool in use.

DESCRIPTION .OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Refen'ing now to the embodimentshown in the drawing, the swab tool 1 includes a long thinse mi-n'gidcore 2. A common plastic drinking straw is suitable for this purpose. Asheet 3 of soft moisture absorbing material is wrapped around the core 2to form a roll 4. The roll 4 has a diameter equal to or a little greaterthan the interior diameter of the test tube to be dried. The sheet 3 maybe formed of absorbent paper, such as that sold underthe trade markJ-clo by Johnson and Johnson.

The ends of the roll 4 extend beyond the ends of the core 2 by aboutone-half inch. Strings 5 are tied around the roll 4 at the ends of core2 to define unreinforced swab tips 6.

A holder 7 tightly clasps theroll 4 at its mid-section. The holder 7 maybe a rigid plastic tube which is slipped on over one end of the roll 4.

In use, the swab tool 1 is grasped by the holder 7 and forced into thetest tube 8. The compressible roll 4 presses and moves against theentire interior surface of the tube 8, thereby drying it. The core,holder and roll construction combine to provide the roll with enoughrigidity so that it may be forced into the tube. One push-pull insertionof the swab is sufficient to dry the tube.

Although the invention has been described with a certain degree ofparticularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has beenmade only by way of example and that changes in the details ofconstruction and selection of materials may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafterclaimed.

What is claimed is:

l. A swab tool for drying test tubes comprising:

a long thin semi-rigid core;

a sheet of soft moisture absorbing material wrapped around the core toprovide a long roll, the ends of said roll extending a short distancebeyond the ends of the core;

a substantially rigid, tubular holder tightly encircling the centralportion of the roll; and

a pair of string-like encirclements tieing the roll at the ends of thecore.

2. The swab tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

the core comprises a hollow tube.

sex-ra

1. A swab tool for drying test tubes comprising: a long thin semi-rigidcore; a sheet of soft moisture - absorbing material wrapped around thecore to provide a long roll, the ends of said roll extending a shortdistance beyond the ends of the core; a substantially rigid, tubularholder tightly encircling the central portion of the roll; and a pair ofstring-like encirclements tieing the roll at the ends of the core. 2.The swab tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein: the core comprises ahollow tube.